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Walking into a federal prison for the first time can mess with your head: the locked doors, the strict procedures, the feeling that you do not belong there. But what happens after you sit down and simply listen? I’m joined by Shazad Carbaidwala and Dr. Leila Richards, two board members of Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS), a national volunteer visitation program serving people incarcerated in federal and military prisons across the United States. Our conversation is about the power of presence and what it means to treat someone’s humanity as real, even when their world is hidden from yours.

We get specific about what PVS volunteers do and do not do. We talk about the boundaries that protect everyone involved: limited personal details, no contact after release, and no digging into someone’s crime or case. Shazad shares what it’s like to do this work while also working in law enforcement and why empathy is not the same thing as excusing harm. Leila walks us through the day-to-day reality of visits, what people inside want to talk about, and why connection matters even more for those serving long sentences as they try to understand a world that has changed.

We also pull back the curtain on the nonprofit side: the post-COVID volunteer shortage, the long waiting list of incarcerated people requesting visits, and why “measuring impact” is complicated when so many forces shape reentry and recidivism. If you care about prison reentry support, restorative justice, reducing isolation, and community leadership that actually shows up, this conversation will challenge you in the best way.

Listen, then share this with someone who believes community is more than a slogan. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what would it take for you to become the kind of leader who shows up?

Guest Bios and contact info

Shazad Carbaidwala is a catalyst for transformation, a former professional bodybuilder leveraging his journey as a speaker, PVS board member, author, project manager, entrepreneur/business owner, humanitarian, coach, and law enforcement official to empower individuals worldwide. 

After graduating from an Executive MBA program, Shazad recognized the power of mentorship for his own growth. This realization ignited his passion for coaching, leading him to dedicate himself to guiding others towards success. Shazad is a trailblazer in innovation and social impact. Through his leadership and entrepreneurial ventures, he tackles societal challenges head-on, driving tangible change in industries and communities alike.

Leila Richards

Leila is a retired physician with a background in writing. She worked overseas for many years in humanitarian and public health programs. She lives in Pittsburgh. She has volunteered with PVS since 2019, visiting prisoners at FCI Elkton in Ohio

Linked In Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/shazad-carbaidwala-mba-csm-1088ab91/

PVS Website: www.prisonervisitation.org

PVS Podcasts: 

• Everyday Injustice:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=2shcWw6ogCE
• International Network for Criminal Justice: criminaljusticenetwork.net/in-cj-newsdesk-2025-shazad-ali-carbaidwala-supporting-incarcerated-people/

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Music by Zach Price: [email protected]